Admiral's Regatta

Admiral's Regatta

River Wear, Durham

750m

19th June 2013

After a slingshot start, the motley pirate crew of Grey College captained by the ever raspy sounding commodore Moore took an early lead in the first race of Admirals regatta 2013. The fresher men’s crew stunned the small crowd as they stormed down the race course, jolly roger flying high, to eventually finish the race 3 lengths ahead of the ill-fated Cuth’s senior boat. Having made it all the way to the finals the crew were not able to pull off a victory and secure one final pot for the Grey trophy cabinet.

Next up to race were the (extra) heavyweight senior men’s crew. Having decided on taking out a restricted training IV they weren't expecting much in the way of a momentous victory, and appeared more interested in their stockpile of Belgium’s finest. However after a speedy start and having taken an early lead, much to the dismay of Hutchinson and Hatch, the crew decided that the prospect of another race was just a little too much for this early morning booze cruise. So to the dawn chorus of a bemused commentator, the crew crawled across the line, tinnies aloft, to a gracious (and predictable) defeat.

Having been put together at the last minute and to the surprise of half the crew, it was the turn of another Grey Senior men’s IV. Having rustled together a mixed bag of costumes resulting in a theme labelled ‘miscellaneous’  the crew set off for the start were a fully race prepared Castle crew awaited them. After a clunky start the crew managed to overhaul their opponents cruising to a comfortable two length victory, this tower of power show was then repeated to storm a similarly well prepared Van Mildert crew.

Next it was the turn of the Senior Women’s VIII. Having actually made an effort to get matching costumes the cast of The Sound of Music made their way to the start line knowing a single victory would secure them an overall win. After a lightning start (and some divine guidance) the crew trounced the crew from St. Mary’s boat club and took home the only Grey pots of the day.

The final race of the day was the college mixed VIII’s, combining a fresher 4 with 4 from the senior women’s crew. Being an eco-conscious/ not-motivated-enough-to-get-more boat club, costumes were reused from previous races resulting in a nuns/cowboys crew. Having entertained the crowds on the way down to the start line the crew lined up against an all too familiar, non-costume-wearing, Castle crew. After a strong start from Castle the Grey boat fell behind by a bow in what would prove to be the most closely fought race of the day. However having narrowly lost to Castle in the final of Durham regatta the fresher boys gave it their all in order to pull off one final act of vindication and claim a momentous win. (The women were good too). After having exhausted themselves the crew rowed straight back to the start to face their next opponents, Van Mildert. With the sun sinking lower than the motivation levels and the pub calling, there was only one course of action for the crew as they lined up for what would be the final race of an inspired season of rowing for Grey College.

Seen as though this will be the last blog post this season, I think it only fair that a special mention go to the Fresher men’s VIII for providing GCBC with possibly the greatest photo ever taken in rowing. 

York Spring Regatta 2013, (No freshers were harmed in the making of this photo)

Durham Regatta

Durham Regatta

River Wear, Durham

750m

8th - 9th June 2013

There was mixed success for GCBC at Durham Regatta this year. On Saturday the Women's squad came up against some strong crews from Van Mildert college and Strathclyde University. In the 4 and the 8 they pushed them hard but were unable to secure a win. 

photo by Al Johnston

The fresher men's 8 raced well and led for the first half of their race but unfortunately a well timed push from Hatfield at the Hild Bede landing stage saw the opposition edge in front and take the win.  However all crew remained the right way up in the boat which can be taken as a significant improvement from their last Regatta.

On Sunday a fresher men's 4 competed in the Maiden 4s. This is a college event for novices new to rowing that was won by GCBC two years ago at the last Durham Regatta.  The crew comfortably beat St John's College followed by University College to secure a place in the final. What followed was an extremely exciting racing against University college that proved to be popular with the crowd but despite a strong performance from the freshers they lost it by a canvas.

photo by Evie Harrison Photography

After a late decision and a few last minute training sessions the senior men entered a Novice 4 on the Sunday for the Lady Herschell Plate. In the first race against DUBC the Grey crew took advantage of a strong start to get almost a length ahead off the line which they increased to three by the finish.  The next race was against York City who pushed them harder and it wasn't until around the halfway point that Grey were able to get some clear water between the boats before taking the win. In the final a St Cuthberts crew were easily beaten by multiple lengths to conclude a successful morning. 

James Huskisson

WeHORR 2013

Women's Eights Head of the River Race

River Thames, London

6.8km Head Race

9th March 2013

With a top 150 finish position, and as the second fastest college, you might imagine WeHORR 2013 was a well planned and organised day. It started with the cox and coach in a mad dash to get the cox-box charged and a very late boating. Thankfully, things picked up from there. The girls were off the start very quickly, pulling away from the crews around them as they reached Barnes Bridge.

The women held their rhythm and speed as they came into Hammersmith, closely followed by Hatfield. After they were overtaken the race became a struggle, but with strong calls from Lucy the cox, and with Kaz at stroke, no other boats were allowed to pass them before the finish. 

The post race festivities began with wine on the riverside, moving on very quickly to cocktails, meaning most were feeling merry for the annual alumni dinner. As with last year, there was a big turnout of both old and current members. The star of the show was of course Mike Veldman for his unmatched generosity with buying drinks and even helping Lucy home, albeit in a roundabout way. With the girls in such a good position, and hopefully with some committed Easter training, we should see success next term. Any and all alumni are of course welcome to attend our annual boatclub cruise, and it would be great to see you there.

George Hutchinson

Tyne Head

A wise man once said "there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather".

 

As light streamed through my window on the morning of Tyne Head (23/02/2013) I despised that man. Snow had been streaming from the sky for hours and the met office predicted that it wasn't going to stop any time soon. Commitment held fast in the Club though and even if spirits weren't high initially, they were certainly roused upon the publication of the results in the evening. 

 

Tyne Head was a resounding success for GCBC, and we left that icy industrial wasteland holding our heads high. Not only did the Mens Eight win their category with a solid thirty-second lead, they also came sixth overall. The Women's Squad came through with excellent results also. The Women's Four came in at a solid second and the Eight trounced ten boats in an emphatic performance that ranked them third. The level of effort evident in the Women’s squad bodes well for their upcoming appearance at the prestigious WoHORR.

 

Specials mentions must be awarded to: Tim Long for his exceptional work as stroke man, Imogen Waktare for her unwavering commitment in the face of the perilous M1, to the handsome fellow wearing the stag hat at number six seat for outstanding head gear, to Jonny Davies, George Hutchinson and Josh Goswell for their technical expertise and resilient support from the bank despite the weather, to Thea Vukasinovic, for stepping in as a substitute last minute, to Sarah Kumeta, for making the major calls in the Women’s Eight (there have been some technical difficulties with the coxbox) and Jenny Rollins, whose wealth of knowledge and motivational calls kept the Women’s Four together and strong throughout the gruelling 5.1km. To you brave men and women we offer our eternal gratitude.

 

 

Below there is an edited HD video of the Men’s race, as viewed from Stroke's rigger. Please enjoy at your leisure.

 

Also follow this link to find the results: http://www.tynerowingclub.org/pages/tyne_head_156798.cfm. 

 

Sn

Durham Small Boats Head

Durham Small Boats Head

River Wear, Durham

1.8km Head Race

17th February 2013

As a result of the inclement weather earlier this term Durham Small Boats Head was postponed to the 17th February. Unfortunately this was the day after the Grey College Boat Club Ball.

                            

Durham Amateur Rowing Club organised the race which attracted over 200 crews competing across 4 divisions. Grey College entered 6 crews and understandably we opted to race in the later divisions.

The day brought some fine rowing conditions and all the crews raced well despite many feeling the effects of the night before and a few steering issues involving Elvet Bridge.

Women's Crews

Lucy Wilson (cox), Helen Sandford, Katherine Williamson, Jemima Benstead, Jess Walker
Lucy Wilson (cox), Anna Hughes, Sarah Kumeta, Georgie Eccles, Jess Walker
 Heather Chung (cox), Sophie Johnson, Amy Womersley, Helen Sandford, Natalie Walter
Heather Chung (cox), Pip Davis, Ellie Snell, Hannah Greenshields, Jenny Rollins

Men's Crews

Imogen Waktare (cox), Jonny Davies, Steve Bennett, Sn McArdell, George Bushell

Rebecca Moore (cox), Chris Barrett, Tim Long, Alex Maxwell, James Huskisson

photo by Northern Rowing

photo by Northern Rowing

James Huskisson

Grey College Boat Club Ball

Every year around about early February a very special mood descends upon GCBC. Its a mood of excitement for most, but for those few, to whom we are eternally thankful, fear and manic activity are the watch words of the day. The cause of such a diverse spectrum of emotion is of course the illustrious annual Boat Club Ball, which was held again on the 16th February and widely mooted as yet another rousing success.
           This year special thanks go out to the outgoing Social Secretaries Max Almeida and Chris Barrett. Without their dedication and diligence the Ball, which is the major event for toasting the hard work of outgoing executive office holders, wishing the new holders of those offices good luck and welcoming our much missed alumni back, could not have been such a success.
            Prizes were given, spoons were painted, space hoppers were hopped and there was dancing and merriment all about. However, it must be said, these are symptoms of the actual importance of the Ball. The Ball is a celebration of the longevity and camaraderie of our venerable Club, that even years later maintains the loyalty and dedication of its members. I cannot pass this point by without mentioning the very epitome of this dedication and spirit: Michael Cannon. Year in and year out Michael provides the club with advice and encouragement, not to mention his role in paving the way with the rowing clubs where we hold our Easter rowing camp. Michael, we thank you.
            The Club's gratitude is also extended to those other familiar faces that took the time out of their busy and successful careers to support GCBC. No one believes that you just came back for Klute. It was a fantastic turn out and for this we thank you also.
            Before signing off, thanks must be also extended to BeTempted cupcakes and Woven suits, who both kindly donated to the raffle, to Ernst & Young, who also donated to the raffle but have been most generous to the Club all year and of course to The Three Tuns Hotel, who graciously put up with us and provided such great food and service.

Good luck to all the new exec and all the best to the alumni,
Until next year,
Sn

Hayward Cup

Hayward Cup

River Tees, Stockton

4.2km Head Race

16th February 2013

Due to the placement of this race with Boat Club Ball and Durham Small Boats moved to the same weekend we only sent the Senior Men's VIII.

                            

This race was organised by the two Stockton Colleges- John Snow and Stevenson. They were efficient on the day although the two launches they rented broke leaving our boys sat at the start for an hour!

 Our top VIII (although as a 75kg boat, not quite a 

suitable choice for a mens crew but Eric Halliday 

is still being fixed at Browns for 22/02/2013)

Crew

Rebecca Moore (cox), Tim Long, Steve Bennett, Sn McArdell, George Bushell,

Jonny Davies, Chris Barrett, James Huskisson, Alex Maxwell. 

The final 300m after Infinity Bridge. GO FOR HOME GREY!

Results

The race isn't organised as Novice, IM3, IM2 etc. It is by top college

boat. Our crew races Novice and dominated last term at York Small

Boats Head (IVs), Senate (IVs) and Rutherford (VIII).

In comparison over the 5km race at Rutherford we were 20s off

Hatfield's Hudson (top boat) and at Hayward we were 8s off.

Crew	College	Race Time
4	TEE	13.35	WINNER 1st Mens
19	TEE	13.37
2	Cuths	13.44
16	Aidans	14.01
18	HAT	14.08
8	Grey	14.14
1	VM	14.19
3	Colling	14.42
5	Hat 2	14.51	WINNER 2nd
20	Snow	14.52
7	Stevo	15.2
17	Castle	15.29
21	castle 2	16.16

Imogen Waktare